A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
The legendary Frantz Gym was the place where the top powerlifters trained, where the collective whole was greater than the sum of its parts. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” can often be tossed around, but that was a large part of the magic that was Frantz Gym.
Putting Our Equipment to the Test at Monster Garage Gym
It’s one thing to read about elitefts equipment, but it’s something altogether different to see it being used in the hands of competitive powerlifters at Monster Garage Gym.
Top-5 Monolift Commandments
Monolift commandments for those new to the monolift, monolift commandments to heed today as a way to avoid tragedy in the future, and monolift commandments to help get the most out of this amazing piece of powerlifting equipment.
Top-5 Christmas Gifts for Powerlifters Trapped in a Corporate Gym
They’re here because they travel during the week and are training out of the hotel’s fitness center, or they work days and can train only late at night, which requires him to go to one of those 24/7 fitness places where there is “no yelling, no chalk or pretty much no anything you would require for serious training.”
It Has Something to Do with the Struggle
What do I ask a man who built a physique back in 1965 and if he walked into any contemporary gym today in his Mr. America condition, every lifter in the place would stop to behold a build somehow created with nothing fancier than barbells, dumbbells, steak, eggs, and elbow grease?
Dusting Off the Past to Answer Questions for the Present
There is often hope that the future is the timeframe where many problems and questions of humanity will be solved. But sometimes the questions have already been asked, pondered, explored, researched and answered.
The Strongest Man in the Gym
Although we have had a number of 1000-pound squatters and 800-pound benchers at the Monster Garage Gym, I can tell you—and so would the majority of the powerlifters at the gym—that Jerry is the strongest man in the gym.
When a Building Is More Than Its Four Walls
All that the S4 embodied—all the history, all the depth of meaning, all the blood, sweat, tears, sacrifice and giving—will live on as those traits come to life and are reborn with S5.
When Strong Is All You Can Be
Within the environment of the serious gym, race, religion, political ideation, and gender identity fall a far second to the bond of power, strength, and living life to its fullest. This is the story of strongman and powerlifter Kristian Johnson.
The Gift of Perspective: Five More Things to Know as a New Powerlifter
Continuing the perspective series, I look more closely at training, meet day, and who to look to for advice.
20 Pro Strongman Tips for the Strength Athlete
Prepping to become a pro-card carrying competitor? These tips from professional strongwoman Kristin Johnson will help you reach your strength and power goals.
The Week Before the Meet — Unstructured or Accounted For?
This is a time when your mind will start to play tricks on you. Are you mentally committing to the time off?
Verbal Cues Every Set — A Reminder of Your Duty as a Training Partner
If your training partner’s technique is poor it will take a lot more than empty encouragement to make him better.
So You Made Weight, Now What?
You’ve put 8-16 weeks of hard work into your meet prep. Why ruin it 24 hours before the competition?
Know Your Bars
Nobody wants to waste hard earned money on equipment they’re not sure about. Use this overview of the SS Yoke Bar and the Rackable Cambered Bar to make your next purchasing decision is an educated one.
Here and Now: Mindfulness and Being in the Moment
Your time in the gym is precious. If you don’t summon the iron will to shut off the outside world, get out.
Choose Your Box Squat Height Wisely
You’ve tracked the timing of rest between your sets, precisely selected your weight jumps, and perfected the fit of your gear. So why are you squatting to the same box height as everyone else?
MGG Interview with Ed Coan
In this 30-minute interview with the King of powerlifting, Ed Coan covers time travel, special powers, a possible comeback, and oh, powerlifting.
Open Letter to Aspiring Gym Owners
My top-10 components for what I feel can contribute to the success of a real powerlifting gym.
Grip It. Don't Rip It.
As a powerlifter, you’ve heard the saying “Rip it off the floor!” probably a thousand times.
Monster Garage Gym: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
It is pretty much true, you are what you eat…or you will be.
Elitefts Roundtable: Owning Your Own Gym
Owning your own gym comes with its ups and downs. See what these team elitefts gym owners think about it.
Monster Garage Gym: What Is Right with Powerlifting?
The meet was everything that is right with powerlifting.
Eric Maroscher: Video Inquisition (Part 4)
One size does not fit all. Not every guy is going wear the same tuxedo to the prom.
Monster Garage Gym: It's Time to Let Johnny Out of the Bag!
Who is Johnny, and why in the heck is he in a bag?
Monster Garage Gym: Foundational Training
There is a saying in the world of powerlifting amongst the more veteran lifters: foundation, foundation, foundation.
Monster Garage Gym: Hook Grip 101...It's a Love-Hate Relationship
You will love the pulling power you get with it; however, you will hate how unpleasant it is.
Monster Garage Gym: It Is Not If, But When
At some point in your career as a powerlifter, you will be injured. How will you respond?
Monster Garage Gym: What was Old is New Again
Fads and trends ebb and flow, but there are a few things that will always remain constant.
Monster Garage Gym: Rest Time for Meet Time
So your training is on point, but you still had a lackluster meet? If your nutrition is in check, your rest may be lacking.
Don't Shake the Weights!
Always try to stay inside of yourself and learn where that power is stored. Most importantly, learn how to call upon it when the time comes.